A deadly cold wave, described as the worst since the Winter of 1978-79, spread from Russia into Europe Monday. Eastern and central Europe were especially hard hit. Morning temperatures dropped under -20° in Poland and sub-zero in Germany and Austria—levels 15 to 30° below normal. Winds as high as 60 m.p.h. blew snow through the air in sections of Greece, the Balkans, Turkey and even portions of Italy. The barometric pressure at the core of the brutal arctic air soared to 31.06” (1052 mb) over central Poland—indicative of an intensely cold air mass similar to those found in winter over Siberia, the Yukon of interior Alaska. Russian electrical utilities restricted industrial electricity use Monday. Readings inched above 0° in Moscow but are predicted to drop late week.
By contrast, January in Chicago is now ranks the 4th mildest on record and 12° above normal.
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
